Emma's Face Cream Recipe (and how it works)

Hey guys, Emma here! This past month has been a bit busy! I started school, and we made some friends in our neighborhood, so we’ve been outside playing Frisbee or whiffle ball and enjoying the last bit of nice summer weather.

I’ve got a really big crochet order from our etsy shop (If I get it done in time, pictures will probably be up next month), and I’m in the middle of making two crocheted dolls for Kate and Julia’s cousins, Abbey and Maddey, and those pictures will definitely be up next month, along with Kate’s present!

I’ve also gotten several more babysitting jobs! Now I’ve got 3 people who want me to babysit consistently! One of those jobs is for some people that we know from church, and there dad speaks French, which is really great because I’m hoping to learn French this year. I’m also learning how to make all sorts of fancy coffee at our church from him, which I find really exciting!

 
This month for my blog post, I decided to switch gears a little bit and write a DIY beauty post, so lets get to it!

 

First things first, I am a cheapskate. I’d rather make my own anything or buy it on sale or at a thrift store before buying it new.

Another thing, is that although I’m almost 17, I can’t drive yet (more on that later). So that means that when my mom is busy, my lips were hurting like crazy for some reason and we didn’t already own something to help, I make my own! Which is why I decided to write out this post!

Last week, my lips were dry, red and irritated. I looked on Pinterest for a natural DIY cure, and looked at several before I got this idea.

I mixed about ¼ cup of coconut oil and 10-12 drops of lavender and frankincense essential oils, and applied it to my lips. They were absolutely fine in about 2 hours and 2 coats!

That in itself is pretty cool, because my lips get dry a lot in the winter and sometimes chap stick doesn’t cut it. However, I found that it works on a bunch of other things to, particularly skin problems.

Lavender is great for skin conditions and problems such as: psoriasis, eczema, scarring, stretch marks, burns, acne and pimples. It can also be used as an antiseptic. Frankincense is great for inflammation.

I started using this cream every night before bed on my pimples, blackheads and old scars from pimples. I had 2 really bright red pimples on my nose, and they were gone the next day! After just a week of doing that, all of the afore mentioned problems are almost completely gone. I still have a few stubborn scars and blackheads, but I can see major improvement.

I’ve also grown out my eyelashes quite a bit by rubbing just the tiniest dab of this lovely cream to my lashes, and by adding 2 drops of lavender oil to my mascara tube.

If you try this cream, make sure to rub it in nicely before bed, so that your skin doesn’t feel or look oily. By the next day, your skin should have absorbed all of those great ingredients, and you may even see a difference. Don’t except anything right away though, give it about 7-10 days.

Good luck with my magic cream, and I’ll see y’all next month!

Who Am I? Part 4: Galatians & Ephesians

Hey, it's Kate, sorry this is so late!

So this Saturday I went to an AWESOME Renaissance Faire, it was super cool! And that night I had my new friend Nicole spend the night & we all watched Saving Mr. Banks- which was a great movie by the way. Homecoming & Spirit Week are coming up, and it should be a blast :)

So Galatians 2:19 tells us that we have died to the law so that we might live for God- now the law Paul writes of is not the kind of law we think of (stealing, trespassing, running a red light) but rather the laws the Jews faced regarding the way they must live their everyday lives and pay for their sins. We are free from the everyday atonement that other religions require, and from some of the original laws that were set in the Old Testament.

Verse 20 continues by saying that we have been crucified in Christ and no longer live for ourselves but live through faith for Christ.

Chapter 4 verse 7 says that we are no longer a slave (to sin or the law), but are God's children. And since we are his children, we are also his heirs. What is our inheritance? Heaven.

Verse 28 says that we, like Isaac, are children of promise. Isaac, born of Abraham and Sarah, was the child promised to Abraham by God that was to bless all nations. We are a child of that promise, too. This also means something more- it means that if we are like Isaac, we were planned by God to be born when, where, and how we were born. We were not an accident or a surprise. We were perfectly formed and planned children, hand-crafted by God himself.

Next is Ephesians 1:4-5, & 7 is a lot to handle, so I'll break it down for you-

Verse 4 declares that God chose us to be blameless and holy in his sight before the world was created! He chose us! And that, is absolutely wonderful to know.  Verse 5 states that he chose us to be so because he loves us!

Skipping to verse 7, we find it says that we have forgiveness "in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us." this is a truly wonderful fact, isn't it? We have been totally and completely forgiven. And we are never allowed to forget it!

Chapter 2 verse 10 tells us we are God's handiwork, created in Christ to do good works. A masterpiece meant not only to enlighten and to be beautiful, but to serve and love as well.

Verse 13 says that we who were once far away from God have been brought close by the blood of Jesus. We were separated from God because of our deeds and desires, creating a chasm between us that could not be bridged by us. But Jesus not only made a bridge to close the gap, but he also washed us clean so that the chasm might not ever separate us again.

Verse 14 continues by saying that God is our peace, and 19 declares that through Christ we are no longer strangers and foreigners but member's of God's very own family.

Chapter 3, verse 12 tells us that we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Let me ask you- how do you treat your best friend? You're confident around them, and you know you can tell them anything, right? Well, God is your best friend too. He loves you as you are and does not judge you for it. But, even better than a best friend, he always knows what is right and encourages you to do better. So approach God with freedom and confidence when you pray.

And now I leave you with one, final thought- If Jesus were coming over to spend the day with you, would you act any differently than you did today?

What stood out most to you in this post? Let us know in the comments!!

Kate <3

About Bailey

 

About Bailey

 

 

 

 

 

 The first thing I'm going to start out with is the obvious things. 

My name is Bailey I'm thirteen and the third child of  Five soon to be six.
My eye color is green and I have light brown hair.
I'm also a Christian.

2014



 

I'm an army brat and so far I have lived in Cambridge IL,
 Fort Bragg, NC, Seoul, Korea, Monterey, CA, Columbia, SC,
 San Antonio, TX and I currently live Colo Spgs, Co.
 

2005




 

I absolutely love Walt Disney World and everything about it.

 My favorite ride at Disney is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
I can't wait to go in January with all of my mom's side of the family! 

 I hope to attend the Disney College Program with my AWESOME cousin Julia in fall of 2020!

 

Another thing about me is I have a beagle named Elsa!

She's sometimes a bit of a handful but she's still adorable.

 And YES I named her after Frozen.

 Her sister Ana is the family Dog.
 

2004

 

 I'm homeschooled and in 8th grade!

Although I'm good at math and a grade ahead I still hate it.

 I do enjoy History and Science though!

After I'm done with my school

 I love going outside and playing with my friends!

 Or I will stay inside and watch

 Magnum P.I. ,19 Kids And Counting , Duck
 Dynasty or The Hardy Boys/ Nancy Drew series.
 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed getting to know a little more about me
Talk to you next month!


Have any Questions about me
comment down below.

 

 

 

 

 

About Julia

Julia, 2014

 

How about we start with the basics! My name is Julia, I am twelve and turning thirteen in October, I’m homeschooled, and in 8th grade. I’m second born of five kids and I have (what I consider to be) dirty-blonde hair and big, dark brown eyes.

 

Me with my best friend Avery, Disney World, 2007

I was a very stubborn and determined child and I still am. I would never open Christmas presents when I was told it was my turn; ONLY when I wanted to. I also ate dirt one time. The bigger boy cousins were playing in it and I thought they were eating it so I joined in. I looked like I raided a box of Oreos

2010

I am really afraid of fish, I am obsessed with my upcoming Disney trip and birthday party, I play the ukulele and dabble with piano, I enjoy morning, and my favorite season is fall.

I like wearing comfy clothes, which means I only put on jeans if I have to. Pasta is amazing in my opinion and I also like mozzarella sticks and cheesy garlic bread. My family and I travel and go camping all the time and everyone is always telling me that my hair is so soft and that my eyelashes are so long.

I don’t like math but science is a different story. I love big houses with lots and lots of grass around it and I am a professional multi-tasker.  I also love roller-coasters and thrill rides.

This is me playing Scuttle in The Little Mermaid, 2013

 

I love dance and musical theatre. I’ve been doing theatre since 2005 and musical theatre since 2012. I’ve been taking dance only since fall 2013. I’m currently taking just ballet and pointe but I’ve done lyrical, contemporary, stretches and turns, and fabrics. In non-musical theatre I’ve played an angel in several Christmas pageants and Avery Arable in Charlotte’s Web. As for musical theatre I’ve played a Lost Boy in Peter Pan, a Servant and Rockette Dancer in Annie Jr, Shanti in The Jungle Book, and Scuttle in The Little Mermaid. As well as many other ensemble roles in other musicals.

I hope you enjoyed my second blog post about me! I am currently working on a Mickey Mouse-inspired mini purse for the shop so keep a look out!

If you have any questions about me ask in the comments and I will gladly answer!!

Meet Emma

Meet Emma

Hi guys, Emma here! This last past month of mine has been really exciting! Even though we have been living here for almost a year, I finally got my first steady babysitting job here! Also, the high school group at my youth group has gotten quite a bit bigger, so that's exciting.

I’ve also been crocheting a decent amount, and decided to show you guys the Pinkie Pie that I made for my brother.

 

Isn't she adorable?

I realized that our profile doesn’t really tell much about each of us individually. So I decided that for this week’s blog post, I’m going to tell you a little bit more about myself and my interests.

 

Well, first of all, I’m 16 and have light brown hair and green eyes with terrible eye sight. I’ve got ridiculously big feet and am pretty tall and lanky, but that doesn’t stop me from wearing heels! I’m also a Junior and I am homeschooled.


I’m the oldest of almost 6 and I’m an army brat. My dad joined the Army when I was 7, and I have so far lived in Illinois, North Carolina, Korea, California, South Carolina, Texas and now Colorado. Don’t ask me where my favorite place has been so far, because I’ll talk for about 20 minutes about the pros and cons of each place. But I really want to move back to Texas. One of my best friends lives there now, and Texas is just an awesome state!

 
Although I’m not technically, I like to think of myself as southern. I could live off of only sweet tea and fried chicken, and I’d do so in my cowboy boots.

 I don’t watch too much TV, but my favorite shows are Doctor Who, Phineas and Ferb, My Little Pony, and the Andy Griffith show.  I’ve re-watched Tuck Everlasting, Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasures more than I care to admit. I also make it to the midnight premiere of as many Marvel movies as I possibly can.  I also stop what I’m doing to watch whatever Disney movie my little siblings decided on. Although I will admit that every once in a while I will put on Tangled and watch it by myself.

 

 I’m also a really big reader (as if you didn’t get that from my profile). My overall favorite book is Tuck Everlasting, which has been my favorite since I was 8. My happy place (besides Disney World) is sitting somewhere comfy while it’s raining or snowing with tea and a good book. I’ve got an ever expanding mini library in my room, which I am very proud of.  I also have an ever expanding list of books to read.

 Obviously, I’m a crafter too, hence my part in our Etsy shop. I can knit and loom knit, but my real passion is crocheting. I love making new things, and almost always make up my own pattern.

I put a Disney twist on pretty much everything I do. I love crocheting Disney dolls, or drinking tea out of one of my Disney mugs. We’ve got a Disney countdown stretching over one of our hallways with 140 little chains, because our next trip is in January!


Lastly, and most importantly, I’m a Christian. That’s one big thing that you probably already know about me because of my last post, but I’d just like to say it again.

 

I hope you enjoyed learning more about one of the Four Little Sparks, I’ll see you again next month!



Oh, and besides my Pinkie Pie picture and my selfie, the other two pictures were taken forever ago by one of my best friends Ashley. Here is a link to her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RedRainBootsPhotography. Check her out!

Who Am I? Part 3: 1st and 2nd Corinthians

Hey, it's Kate here!

So, its been a few weeks longer than promised since my last post, but everyone else's were so good I hope you didn't even notice :)

What's been going on in my life.... hmm... Well, I'm going to Rio Rancho High School every day now for the first 3 periods so I can take Art, Drama, and Women's Choir! It's so much fun.
I'm also in my school play "Almost, Maine", and our one act "Andromeda's Galaxy". Auditions went well, but since I'm new I am just an understudy for one of the Characters in Almost, Maine (Which means I am guaranteed at least one performance) and I am a baby named Darla in Andromeda's Galaxy. Both are great parts considering its my first time there, and it is likely people will drop out of both plays so I might get an even better part after all.

Let's see, last month we talked about our identity without Christ (click here) and what John and Romans have to say about our identity in Christ (and here). Now we're going to see what 1st and 2nd Corinthians have to say- which are 2 of my favorite books in the Bible by the way.

First Corinthians 1:2 say that we have been sanctified- the dictionary says that to ‘sanctified’ means “to give something holy status; to free someone from sin; to bless something; or to approve something.”  That means you are holy, you have been freed from sin, you are blessed, and God approves of you.  It’s awesome that in one word God tells you that you are all of those things.

Verse 3 tells you that we have been placed in Christ by God’s doing- many hear the Word of God but only he can open your heart to believe it.

A friend once expressed a worry to me- she said “What if I’m not one of God’s chosen?”  In other words- what if I’m not meant to go to heaven?  Well, let me tell you, if you ever ask yourself that question you have already answered it.  I’ll clarify that- the simple fact that you care about being his child means you are one.  There is no need to worry- God has placed that desire to be with him in your heart, and that means you belong to him.

The second half of that verse says that Christ is now our wisdom from God, our righteousness, your sanctification (there’s that word again), and our redemption.

Have you ever had some piece of wisdom that you couldn’t have known?  I’m not talking about fortune telling or hunches- I’m talking about that advice you gave to your friend that was just what she needed to hear.  Jesus is our wisdom from God, he gives us understanding and knowledge that can surpass our own, and it can really be a relief to be able to rely on his understanding instead of my own.
1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us that we have received the Spirit of God into our lives so that we might know the things freely given to us by God.  It is an extension of what 1 Cor. 1:3 said, it also means that we now can know what’s right, and what God has given us in his love.

1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us that we have received the Spirit of God into our lives so that we might know the things freely given to us by God.  It is an extension of what 1 Cor. 1:3 said, it also means that we now can know what’s right, and what God has given us in his love.

Verse 16 says that we have been given the mind of Christ.  When we truly reside in him, we no longer want to sin.  Actually, it doesn’t mean that we will never ever want to sin again, but that we will be able to resist sin better when we rely on him.

Chapter 3, verse 16 and chapter 6, verse 19 says that we are a temple of God; he spirit dwells in us.  This is an extension of the last verse- his spirit dwells in us, and sin does not.  6:17 follows the same theme- we are joined to the Lord and we are one spirit with him.

1 Corinthians 6:19 and 6:2 say that we have been bought with a price; we are not our own- we belong to God.  That price was Jesus’ life- we should be more than grateful to live for him.  And remember- the only person’s opinion that should matter to us is his.

2 Corinthians 1:21 says that we have been established in Christ and anointed by God- we are special to him, we are set apart and are loved immensely.

Chapter 2 verse 14 says he always leads us in his triumph in Christ.  When we trust in him, he leads us to his triumph- which isn’t always our version of triumph, but it is always better.

Chapter 5, verses 1, 4, and 15 say that since we have died to this world, we no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ.  Like I said before, we should be thrilled to live for him- he saved us and died for us, and we owe him absolutely no less.

Verse 17 declares that we are a new creation.  This one means a lot to me, because it means that my past mistakes don’t affect me or define me- that person is dead, and I am a new person.

Verses 18 and 19 announces that we have been reconciled to God and that we are a minister of reconciliation.  That means we have been brought back to God, we are no longer separated from him, and that it is our mission to witness to others.

To close, I just wanted to say that I hope this impacts you as much as it is impacting me.

So what verse or point stood out the most to you? Let me know in the comments!

5 Reasons Why I Enjoy Camping!

                    
                                           
                                              

 Hi guys this is Bailey for my first Blog post!
I went camping two weeks ago with my cousins and my family so I decided for my first blog post I’m going to write about 5 Reasons Why I Enjoy Camping.

 

1. When I Wake up 
When I wake up I feel so much more refreshed and ready to start the day than on a normal day. Then I go outside and smell bacon and pancakes which is normally something my family has when were going camping.

While I'm outside smelling breakfast I look at the beautiful scenery that God has created for me. I love to see how wonderful my Creator is, He makes me smile!

2. Hiking

I love hiking because I  just get to walk and talk the entire time. I get to see God’s beautiful creation and it just shows me how much he loves me. Another reason why I love going hiking is because my dog Elsa gets to go with. She enjoys the hike and sometimes goes a little too fast! Then we will go back to the RV and she will go right to sleep because she has had so much fun.

3. I get to Play Games

I love to play games so whenever my family goes camping I make it a priority to bring along a few. One of my favorites to play with my cousins is “Werewolves of Millers Hollow”. I also like to play games when going camping because it’s one of my favorite things. Another one of my favorites is “Phase 10”.

 

4. I get no sleep

Now I know this probably sounds weird but what I mean by that is that I go to bed late. Then I wake up early like any other day. But because I went to bed so late I feel like I got no sleep. But because I'm camping I don’t care.

 

5. The road trip

I really like to go camping in my family’s RV because I get to go on a road trip. Now if you know me you would know that I absolutely love road trips. I get so many things done like schoolwork (because I’m homeschooled), Etsy projects etc. And I'm always  super excited about where I'm going.





Check back with us next week for Kate’s post!

 Do you have any favorite things about camping? Tell us in the comments!